9 Destructive Garden Insects: How Can You Get Rid of Them?

Even if you are a truly organic gardener, your love of nature will probably not extend to embracing the insects that wreak mayhem on your happily growing edibles.

There’s some good news, though…

Most of these unwanted pests can be eliminated using simple, non-toxic approaches. You should view botanical sprays as a method of last resort. They can have adverse effects on the insects that are actually useful to have around. These sprays can also cause harm to other animals.

So…

We’ll take a look at some of the most common nuisances then show you how to deal with them.

The suggestions for control are in order of environmental friendliness.

1) Cabbage Maggot

These maggots are prevalent throughout North America.

As the name indicates, they stick to plaguing members of the cabbage family and can be ruinous for your crops.

After tunneling in the roots, these maggots either kill plants directly or by allowing access to disease organisms.

2) Aphids

Aphids are tiny creatures shaped like pears. They have elongated antennae and a pair of tubes which extend backwards from their abdomen.

Whether it’s fruit and veg, flowers or ornamentals, aphids are not fussy.

They suck out the sap from plants which causes distorted foliage and leaves dropping off. Aphids also excrete honeydew onto leaves which promotes the growth of mold. As crowning insult, feeding leads to viral diseases.

If all else fails go for the big guns: horticultural oil, neem or insecticidal soap

3) Caterpillars

These segmented and soft larvae have six front legs along with fleshy, false legs at the back.

Caterpillars are a general menace for fruits, vegetables and ornamentals. They can also cause problems with shade trees.

They will chew up leaves and along the margins. Some caterpillars will even tunnel into fruits.

How To Get Rid Of Them

Encourage parasites along with native predators

Opt to handpick your harvest

Go for floating row covers

4) Mexican Bean Beetle

The adult Mexican bean beetle is oval and a kind of yellow-brown. Their wings are covered with 16 black spots and they measure around a quarter inch.

The larvae are fat and dark yellow with lengthy spines.

This type of beetle ravages lima beans, cowpeas, snap beans and soy beans. They are mainly found in states to the east of the Mississippi.

Both the larvae and adults chew on leaves which causes a lacy effect to appear.

How To Get Rid Of Them

Use floating row covers

Plant your bush beans early

Resort to handpicking your crop

Use soybean trap crop

Lure in natural predators

Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap

5) Scales

This strange creature comes in distinct forms. Females resemble little bumps on fruit, leaves or stems. Males, on the other hand, are tiny flying insects. Larvae crawl along and have threadlike mouths.

Scales are seen on a wide range of indoor plants, fruit, trees and ornamentals throughout the USA.

By sucking the plant sap out, scales cause weakening. Plants will drop their leaves, become yellow and may possibly die. Honeydew is leached out onto foliage and fruit.

How To Get Rid Of Them

Prune the infested areas

Coax in native predators

Scrub the scales away with a brush and soapy water then rinse

Use summer oil or neem oil

6) Cutworms

Cutworms are very fat black or gray larvae. They measure around an inch in length.

You can find them on most early flower and vegetable seedlings throughout the States.

These worms munch through the stems at ground level. During the months of May and June they can completely destroy plants making them a serious pest.

How To Get Rid Of Them

Apply cutworm collars to transplants

Delay your planting

Hand pick any visible cutworms

7) Flea Beetle

The flea beetle is small and very dark. If disturbed, it will jump in the same manner as a flea.

They are prevalent in North America on most vegetable crops.

Adults will chew small, circular holes in the leaves of plants which is particularly damaging. The larvae get their food from plant roots.

How To Get Rid Of Them

Use floating row covers

Garlic spray and kaolin clay both act as repellents

8) Colorado Potato Beetle

The adult beetle is yellow/orange in color. It has 10 black stripes on its wing covers.

They can be seen on potatoes, eggplant, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes and petunias across the US.

By defoliating plants, these beetles reduce yields and even kill off young plants completely.

How To Get Rid Of Them

Take advantage of floating row covers

Deep straw mulch can be highly effective

Hand pick

Tempt in native parasites and predators

Neem oil spray

9) Tarnished Plant Bug

These green or brown mottled bugs are extremely fast-moving. Their forewings have striking yellow triangles tinged with black.

They thrive on fruits, vegetables and flowers. They will suck away the juices which causes fruit and leaves to distort. They can also provoke stunting and wilting.

How To Get Rid Of Them

Make sure your garden is free of weeds in spring

Floating row covers

Take advantage of predators to kill them off

Coat any young nymphs in neem oil

Conclusion

If you live in the US, chances are you will have encountered most of these pests.

Remember that the courses of action we suggest descend in order from the most eco-friendly option down to the more extreme methods sometimes required if nothing else works.

Make full use of native predators and parasites and ensure that your plants and flowers remain mercifully pest-free.